Abstract: The present method relates to the translational activation of genes using the ribosome recruitment protein, eIF4G or an eIF4G-like protein. The invention relates to the translation of RNA molecules containing heterologous protein-binding sites, which RNA molecules encode one, two, three or more proteins. The invention provides products and methods for the identification of RNA-binding proteins. The invention further provides a system by which protein—protein interactions and inhibitors or enhancers of these interactions may be identified. Further, the invention provides products and methods to provide a cell with one or more therapeutic proteins. The invention provides products and methods for controlling the levels of translation of such proteins. The invention provides products and methods to control the translation and stoichiometry of multiple subunit proteins.